Drowsy Driving: Don’t Be a Victim

Published: March 12, 2019

Ever catch yourself coming out of a "brain fog" after driving for a little bit? Suddenly you yawn and rub your eyes... and realize you don't remember driving those last few miles. This is your cue to pull over; you're endangering your safety, as well as the safety of those around you. It's time to get some sleep.

Sleep Awareness Week 2019, running March 10 through March 16, highlights the importance of getting sufficient sleep in order to live healthy, safe, and productive lives.

According to a 2018 NSF survey, only one in 10 Americans make sleep a top priority; for others, it comes in behind physical fitness, work, hobbies, and even socializing.

The bottom line? Inadequate sleep makes you a drowsy driver.

Sleeplessness while behind the wheel can have fatal consequences. Numerous studies have found that sleep deprivation can affect driving as much as (and sometimes more than) alcohol. According to the National Safety Council, driving after being awake for 20 hours has the same effect on the human body as having a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08%.

As a driver, it's imperative to check yourself to determine whether you're ready to get behind the wheel. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, it's time to rethink your ability to do so:

Do you suffer from insomnia, or are you sleep deprived (getting less than 6 hours of daily sleep)?

Do you drive long distances (more than 2 hours at a time) without stopping for a rest break?